Public Access Defibrillator

The use of an AED with CPR before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services can increase the chance of survival by up to 75 per cent.

More than 100 AEDs have been installed in public locations across the County since the Oxford County Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Program was established in 2007. Paramedics have trained over 1,100 people in CPR and defibrillation since the program began.

Research shows that up to 85% of cardiac arrests occur at home or in public places and almost half are witnessed by a family member or friend. In Ontario alone, approximately 7,000 cardiac arrests occur every year. The survival rate of victims for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is less than five per cent.

If you would like more information on the Provincial Public Access Defibrillator Program and the lives saved to date visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario web site: http://restart.heartandstroke.ca

If you would like information on the P.A.D program in Oxford County please contact ems@oxfordcounty.ca